“O-o-o-oh!” coos Mrs. Mumford, meanin’ nothing at all.

“We have secured a good-sized, comfortable yacht,” goes on Old Hickory.  “You will each have a stateroom, assigned by lot.  Meal hours and the menu will be left to the discretion of a competent steward.

“We sail on Wednesday, promptly at 11 A.M.  Just when we shall return I can’t say.  It may be in a month, possibly two.  You will need to dress for the tropics—­thin clothing, sun helmets, colored glasses, all that sort of thing.

“And you need not be surprised to learn that the yacht is somewhat heavily armed.  On the forward deck you will see something wrapped in canvas.  To anticipate your curiosity I will state now that this is a machine for making and distributing poisonous gas, as our treasure island is infested with rattlesnakes and mosquitos.  It may also be useful in discouraging anyone who tries to interfere with our enterprise.  Am I correct, Captain Killam?”

“Quite,” says Rupert, noddin’ his head solemn.

“And now,” says Old Hickory, “having been thoroughly frank with you, I ask that this information be treated as confidential.  Also, will any of you who wish to reconsider your acceptances kindly say so at once?  How about you, Simms?”

“As you know, Ellins,” says J. Dudley, “I am a timid, fearsome person.  Do I understand that you three assume all responsibility, all risks?”

“Absolutely,” says Mr. Ellins.

“Then here is an opportunity to indulge in vicarious adventure,” says Dudley, “which I can’t afford to miss.  I’ll go; but I shall expect when the time comes, Ellins, that you will conduct yourself in an utterly reckless manner, while I watch you through a porthole.”

“And you, Professor?” goes on Mr. Ellins.

“If I can secure a specimen of the rivoluta splendens,” says Leonidas, “I shall gladly take any chances.”

“Isn’t the dear Professor just too heroic?” coos Mrs. Mumford.  “It will be worth while going merely to see what a rivoluta splendens really is.”

“We seem to be agreed,” says Old Hickory, “and our company is made up.  That is, with two exceptions.”

“Great Scott!” I whispers to Vee.  “Two more freaks to come!”

“Listen,” says Vee.  “Auntie is saying something.”

So she is, a whole mouthful.

“My niece, Verona, will accompany me, of course,” she announces.

“Well, ain’t that rough!” says I.  “Now what’s the sense in draggin’ you off down—­”

“And I am obliged,” breaks in Mr. Ellins, “to take with me, for purely business reasons, my private secretary.  Mrs. Hemmingway, isn’t the young man somewhere about the place?”

“Good night!” I gasps.  “Me!”

“Well, I like that!” says Vee, givin’ me a pinch.

“Take it back,” says I.  “If it’s a case of us goin’, that’s different.  But what a bunch to go cruisin’ with!”